For the past few winters we have been travelling out to Abraham Lake to explore and look at the methane bubbles that get trapped in the frozen lake surface. High winds in the area sweep most of the snow from the ice surface and the bubbles are easily visible. In years past we have found that Preachers Point to be an excellent place to view the bubbles. This year, however, the ice in that location was all cloudy and milky white when we visited due to some recent warm weather -- no bubbles were visible. We moved back up the lake (back along Highway 11 towards Nordegg) to a spot known as the Belly of Abraham and found a spot where the ice was clear of snow and the bubbles readily visible.
It is said the the best viewing time is from mid-January to the end of February. There is never any guarantee, as warm Chinook winds can make the ice surface cloudy, making the bubbles impossible to see. Plan on just over 2 hrs to drive from Red Deer and 3.5 hrs from both Edmonton and Calgary. Be prepared for winter driving conditions, dress accordingly and be prepared for windy conditions. Be sure to bring your ice cleats/micro-spikes and of course your camera. It's not uncommon to spot bighorn sheep and deer in the area.
While this trip can be done as a day trip, accommodations are available in Nordegg and the surrounding area. In years past we have rented a cabin in the area and spent days exploring the lake and the many other attractions in the area.
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